Final 3......maybe.

[Sif]

Afternoon chaps.

I'm new here & have been reading through nearly every post in this section in order to have all the information with me before i post a typical 'which bike' question.

I have ridden MTB's for years but as i've started doing more miles, i find that i'm slowing on my heavy MTB and the distances i want to cover aren't really attainable due to the equipment under my arse. I want to get a nice road bike, it would be my first, and i've been spoiled as my friend lent me his De Rosa idol for a week when he went on holiday and i was amazed at how different the riding experience is between the two genres of cycling.

It's more for training and recreation, there is no commuting involved so i don't have to use this thing every day, no need for 'practicality'. Budget is around £400, give or take, and the 2 of the bikes i've looked at are very similar and well reputed, the other is a relative unknown to me but seems to have better specs, apart from the frame.


It's looks like i have narrowed it down to 3, but i wanted the opinion of a wide ranging bunch, rather than the lugubrious fellow who works at Halfords & 2 independent LBS owners.


Bike 1 (LBS selling it)
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/:lol:/5360031634/
Giant SCR 3

It's an '08 model. Entry level, well known brand and i'm led to believe that it would suit me fine. Price is ok. Shimano Sora shifters


Bike 2 (LBS selling it)
http://www.sbrsports.com/1011/515-231210
Trek 1.2

'09 model, similar to the Giant, isn't it? Shimano sora groupset, nice looking bike (although that isn't one of the criteria).

Bike 3 (Would buy it online)
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=25458
BeOne storm 2.0

Another '08 model. Nice price for a shimano tiagra groupset.

Now, i've heard of Trek & Giant before. They both have warranties, and each LBS has a very good after-sale care package at no extra cost. I imagine that either bike would suit my needs, for now, and could be upgraded at a later stage.

I've never heard on BeOne & wanted to ask you guys how reputable they are? Are they an independant brand? Or were they created to make bikes for Aldi? You know what i'm getting at?

The specs look better on the BeOne, to my untrained eye, but someone in my LBS said that the frame was shoot. It seems to have a carbon fork and doesn't appear to be made out of lead so what could be so bad about it? Any ideas?

Anyway, what i'm asking is, would i be better off on the Giant or the Trek and having a supposedly better frame to which i can attach nice shiny bits as and when i improve, or would i be at an advantage to buy the BeOne with it's cast-iron frame but better specs?

Decisions, decisions. It worse that i have the money for the bike, it's almost like it's burning a hole in my pocket, i would've much rather had a bike in mind beforehand and saved up for it specifically.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Sif.

 

[jayce]

beone makes a good bike there a few around where i live pass quite alot , trek a good too ..as for me i dont like giant thats just me though so wait until you get more feedback off more people ...like you said get the best frame and you can add your shiny bits later .

 

[wyno70]

In my opinion it's better to get the best frame you can, you can always change bits later on but it's probably more likely that you'll change the whole bike as you progress!!!

Horses for courses really, so up to you. I'd try to get a ride on all 3 and just pick the one I liked best!

 

[STT]

Oh decisions decisions!!!

I'm in exactly the same boat. I have sat on a Giant defy 2.5 (which was too big but I'm going back for a sit on a smaller one) and ridden a trek 1.2 and can't decide. The trek is the better deal financially but it seems things like the Sora shifters aren't a popular choice on here.

I'm Mr indecisive as it is so I'm at my wits end with this!!!

 

[chris667]

These aren't very good as road bikes go. To be honest at your budget I'd buy secondhand.
£375 could get you something really good from the classifieds.

 

[Wigsie]

These aren't very good as road bikes go. To be honest at your budget I'd buy secondhand.
£375 could get you something really good from the classifieds.

I kind of agree, for 300 - 400 you could get a cracking bike that is a year or so old and was around a grand new.... However, as a newly converted Specialized fan I would recommed a look at the entry level Allez as similar level to the 1.2 and the giant I just found it to be much more responsive and fun to ride.

I was comparing the Trek 1.7 and the Allez Elite so it may be different lower down the ranges but check it out.

The BeOne's are sexy though, but I would buy from an LBS the support setting the bike up right for you and the after sales servicing etc.

Good Luck.

 

[Mortiroloboy]

I kind of agree, for 300 - 400 you could get a cracking bike that is a year or so old and was around a grand new.... However, as a newly converted Specialized fan I would recommed a look at the entry level Allez as similar level to the 1.2 and the giant I just found it to be much more responsive and fun to ride.

I was comparing the Trek 1.7 and the Allez Elite so it may be different lower down the ranges but check it out.

The BeOne's are sexy though, but I would buy from an LBS the support setting the bike up right for you and the after sales servicing etc.

Good Luck.

You don't get much sex then?!

 

[Wigsie]

You don't get much sex then?!

1,371 posts on a forum? Pot, Kettle, Black?

 

[Paulus]

Hi there Sif, personally I would go for the Trek, 1, as it being sold by your LBS so will probably get a first free service after a few months and you will build up a understanding with the owner and mechanic. Secondly you can try the bike to see if it is the correct size and get it set up for you in the shop before you ride it away, and thirdly, the componants can be upgraded when neccesary as the frame is pretty good. But, to confuse you a bit more, have a look at this. They are very good bikes for the price. Does your LBS stock them?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/allez-18-2009-road-bike-ec016019

 

[Sif]

Thanks for the replies lads.

I went back and rode the Trek & the Giant. If i'm totally honest, it was much of a muchness. They were similarly weighted, similar components & i couldn't really tell the difference between the 2. The SCR 3 is obviously last years model and is cheaper than either the '08 or '09 Trek 1.2 so it will probably be the overiding factor in my buying decision.

With regards to the BeOne, i think i'll dimiss it. The fact i have to build it myself is not a problem, i just wouldn't know where to start setting up so it was ideal for me & i don't like the fact that i can't speak to someone face to face in the event of any problems.

The quote from Chris667 threw me a little. I thought they were 'road' bikes in the truest form? Is it the frame, wheels, components? What is it about these bikes that doesn't make them good road bikes? I must admit, after riding a MTB for years, they felt like lightning to me! As long as they could manage 50 miles a day then they would suffice. Surely?

EDIT: Thanks, Paulus. I've just seen your response. The specialized is way out of my price range, but with certain parts being Sora, it's not to dissimilar to the Trek or Giant is it?

 

[chris667]

Don't get me wrong, they're fine, but not as good as a £1000 bike, which you could pick up secondhand for the same price.
Plus, if you buy it secondhand and you don't like it, just sell it and you'll get more or less what you paid for it. Your £400 bike would only get £200 if you sold it next year. Roadies are fussy.
What kind of riding do you want to do? If long rides are your thing, you might prefer something more like an audax bike.

 

[Sif]

Thanks for the prompt response, Chris.

If i could find somewhere that i could get a bike secondahd with a decent spec i'd be happy to buy it, i'm not hell bent on it being brand new. I've looked on eBay and it's pretty slim picking. I've also checked the classifieds on here and there isn't much available.

Where else would you reccomend? Gumtree or craigslist?

 

[STT]

Godammit Paulus don't complicate things anymore!!

I actually looked at the Specialized one but when I went to the shop they didnt have them in and basically pushed the Giant (which was £80 more)

 

[Paulus]

EDIT: Thanks, Paulus. I've just seen your response. The specialized is way out of my price range, but with certain parts being Sora, it's not to dissimilar to the Trek or Giant is it?[/QUOTE]


The frame is superior to either the trek or the giant. But as always the choice is yours.

 

[chris667]

Thanks for the prompt response, Chris.

If i could find somewhere that i could get a bike secondahd with a decent spec i'd be happy to buy it, i'm not hell bent on it being brand new. I've looked on eBay and it's pretty slim picking. I've also checked the classifieds on here and there isn't much available.

Where else would you reccomend? Gumtree or craigslist?

Have a look at this forum, as well as the CTC forum. The right thing will come along.
Feel free to PM me if you see something you like and want an opinion.